Although The King of Covers, Inc. is a new business entity, the product and business name have been established for many years in the trucking industry, especially in the Northeast.

Douglas Richard, the creator, designer and founder of Richard’s Hydraulic Dump Truck Covers, was born in Torrington, Connecticut in 1934. A creative individual, Doug is the kind of person who looked for a better and easier way of doing things. When Doug was 18, he was employed as a dump truck driver in the Naugatuck Valley. Because the process of covering and uncovering the load required more time and labor than suited him, especially in inclement weather, Doug decided to do something about it. He created his own automatic system which allowed the
dump truck or trailer driver to cover and uncover his load from the safety and comfort of the cab. Doug patented his system and began Richard Truck Canvas Conveyor Manufacturing, Inc. in early 1966. In 1973 he changed the business name to E-Z Automatic Dump Truck Cover, Inc. and finally settled on the name
Richard’s Hydraulic Dump Truck Covers, Inc. which he used until he sold the company in 2004.

From the late 1950’s to the early 1970’s Doug worked at perfecting his system. He allowed his first patent to expire and used the lessons learned from his first designs to help him perfect and patent the system now known by his name.

Having grown up on a dairy farm during the depression, Doug believed in utilizing available resources to build things to last. The
Richard’s Hydraulic Dump Truck Cover quickly earned the reputation of being a quality truck cover that was durable and well engineered.
Dump trucks, dumptrailers and
roll-off trash haulers soon filled the barn and area around the farm buildings as word spread about the Richard’s cover. Many of the covers that Doug installed in the early 1980’s are still in use today. It is not uncommon for the cover system to outlast the body of the truck. Many customers have had the cover removed from the old body and reinstalled on their new body for many more years of service.

With his 70th birthday approaching and the family farm for sale, Doug decided to sell the business. After 40 years in business and nearly 6000 installations, on October 22, 2004, Doug sold
Richard’s Hydraulic Dump Truck Covers,Inc. to Linwood and Constance Quinn.

Linwood grew up on a dairy farm in Vermont and has worked with machinery all his life. He obtained a B.S. in Industrial Supervision and Management from Purdue University as well as an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics license. Linwood also served as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Coast Guard where he met Constance. Prior to purchasing Richard’s, Linwood spent the previous 21 years employed with United Technologies.

Constance holds a B.S. degree in Physical Education from Springfield College, has been employed as a commercial sewing machine operator, worked in various capacities at Disney World and served as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard.

On February 7, 2005, the business was moved to its current location at 154 Torrington Road, Winsted, Connecticut. We continue to produce the same high quality product you have come to recognize and trust. The same manufacturing and installation team has remained with us and will continue to meet your needs for efficient and economical installations.

In 1986, Doug Richard trademarked the name “The King of Covers” for his patented
hydraulic dump truck cover. We believe the Richard’s cover is the best cover available and decided to use Doug’s trademarked name for our business name. It is our goal to live up to the name “The King of Covers” by continuing to provide the best
dump truck and trailer cover on the market along with fast, pleasant and efficient service. Thank you for your interest in our product. Your satisfaction with our service and the continued production of a high quality, long lasting product are our priorities.